Dental Crowns: What Are They and When is One Needed?

There are all sorts of dental treatments available today. Some are purely cosmetic while others are designed to correct issues with the teeth and restore your smile at the same time. Depending on what sort of dental work you need, the dentist may recommend crowns as part of the solution. Here are some of the facts you should know about crowns and why getting one would be the right choice.

The Basics of Dental Crowns

Dental crowns in Markham are essentially gloves for your tooth. They are designed to encompass the portion of your teeth that is visible above the gum line. The material used for crowns are chosen because of the ability to match the hue with the rest of your teeth. Those materials must also be strong enough to absorb the pressure that comes with chewing. Porcelain is a good example of a material that has both the durability and the look to blend in perfectly.

While there are exceptions, most crowns are secured in place with some type of adhesive. As part of your annual dental exam, the dentist will take a close look at your crowns and ensure the adhesive is holding properly. If not, there are ways to replace the adhesive and ensure the crown will not slip out of place.

When Would I Need a Crown?

Dentists in Markham are likely to recommend crowns when one of more of your teeth are cracked or chipped. The crowns can be designed to fill in the chipped portion while the shell will alleviate pressure on the cracked tooth and prevent the crack from spreading. In some cases, the dentist may recommend a combination of a crown and a veneer to produce the most natural looking result.

Crowns are also commonly used with dental bridges. For example, you’ve lost two of your back teeth and would like something to fill in the gap. The dentist may determine a permanent bridge is the best solution. The most common design for this type of bridge includes a crown on each side of the two replacement prosthesis. Those crowns fit over the natural teeth on each side of the gap, and are held in place with a strong dental adhesive. In most cases, it will be years before any changes to the bridge or the supporting crowns must take place.

Your dentist may recommend a crown after installing a filling. This is especially true if the amount of tooth decay was significant. While the filling replaces the decayed portion, the tooth is still somewhat weak. Adding a crown envelopes the top of the filling and adds some strength to the tooth walls. Since the crown material can be tinted to match the rest of your teeth, no one will know there is a filling present.

Crowns are often recommended by a family or a cosmetic dentist in Markham whenever there is the need to restore the function and the appearance of a tooth. If you have teeth that are cracked, chipped, decayed, or needs protection after a root canal, take the suggestion to install a crown seriously. This one measure will pay off in many ways in the years to come.